Land Trust Alliance

Successful Strategies for Conserving Village, Suburban and Urban Landscapes

Kimberly Seese — 2013-03-19T17:35:14Z

Date: April 30, 2013
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm ET
Instructors: Craig Anderson, Judy Anderson
Level: Beginner / Intermediate
Cost: $55 before 4/29, then cost will increase to $65

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Have you wondered if there was a difference in how you conserve land in villages, cities or suburban landscapes in contrast to rural lands? Maybe you’re interested in connecting with more people as part of your work to enhance your community and conserve lands that will be important in the future?

Perhaps you have pondered whether the approach, strategies and programs that support “neighborhood conservation” are something that you could adopt in your work?

This webinar will explore different examples of how land trusts and related organizations, from volunteer to staffed, across the country are working to conserve lands in villages, cities and neighborhoods. We’ll discuss tips for selecting projects, key factors to consider, designing community programs and partnerships support this work, and how your organizational values help to inform your work.

Strategies for Drafting Agricultural Easements

Kimberly Seese — 2012-11-09T18:35:00Z

Date: December 4, 2012
Time: 2:00 pm-3:30 pm Eastern
Price: $25 per connection for members / $35 per connection for non-members. OUR APOLOGIES! THE E-NEWS FROM 11/14 INCORRECTLY STATES THAT THIS IS FREE

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A 90-Minute Webinar on Creating Easements that Protect Working Land Values and Associated Conservation Values

A landowner offers to donate a conservation easement on a 200 acre parcel, including 75 acres of active farmland and 50 acres used for forestry . . .

What factors should your land trust consider when evaluating the project? How can you create language which allows the land to be actively farmed into the future while protecting associated conservation values? How would this be different than a natural areas project? How will climate change inform the drafting?

If you want to ensure local food and farmland is viable into the future, the easement you write today should permit sound agricultural practices as agriculture and landscapes change over time. Balancing associated natural resources with agricultural production is part of the art and science of drafting "mixed use" agricultural easements.

Program Overview

Agricultural easements need to factor in economic viability, natural resource management, housing and building envelopes, water quality, climate change, subdivision, energy development and other agricultural uses such as fertilizer application and farm stands.

To learn how to handle these issues and more, we will discuss:

Eight key clauses you need to know before writing your next agricultural easement.
How to protect working lands as part of what your land trust does.
Key differences in protecting farmland versus natural land: from crafting easements to protect the right values, to monitoring and stewarding effectively, to handling violations.
What you should consider when drafting a purely agricultural easement, and how goals and easement drafting differs when protecting natural areas within agricultural landscapes.
Addressing biological values that are important to you, such as water protection, while taking the economic needs of the landowner into consideration.
Special community relations approaches you should consider.

This training will be led by Judy Anderson and Jerry Cosgrove. As principal of Community Consultants, Judy coaches organizations and teaches courses on organizational development, community-based outreach and fundraising, conservation easement drafting and stewardship, public land design, and community-based inclusive conservation.

As associate director of the Local Economies Project of the New World Foundation, Jerry works on sustainable agriculture issues in the Hudson Valley. He worked with American Farmland Trust for almost 15 years, and has consulted on agricultural, conservation, marketing and rural development issues ranging from farmland conservation to private capital development to farm estate planning.

Stewardship of the Year Award

Kimberly Seese — 2010-12-08T00:00:00Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sam Oliver
847-382-7283

And the Winner Is...Patsy Mortimer

BARRINGTON, IL -- Lake County Stormwater Management Commission recognized Patsy Mortimer with the 2010 "Stewardship of the Year” Award December 2 for her dedication and leadership of the Flint Creek Watershed Partnership. SMC Chairman, Steve Mountsier, and Executive Director, Mike Warner, presented a framed photo of Flint Creek in winter to Patsy. Partners and supporters from Citizens for Conservation, Barrington Area Council of Governments, Barrington Area Development Council, North Barrington, Schumm Consulting, SMC, Trillium Native Landscapes and the Village of Barrington joined her for the award presentation.

Patsy helped form Flint Creek Watershed Partnership in 2005 and guided development of the Flint Creek Watershed Plan in 2007 to improve water quality, reduce flooding and protect natural resources. The partnership is now implementing the plan with rain gardens, detention basin retrofits, and native stream buffers. Educational presentations, tours, workshops and displays keep watershed stakeholders engaged, further enhancing the quality of life in the watershed. Mike Warner thanked Patsy and remarked, “Your integrity and compassion are hallmarks of a true steward of the land.”

Flint Creek Watershed Partnership brings together stakeholders to preserve, protect and improve the Flint Creek sub-watershed of the Fox River. More information is at www.flintcreekwatershed.org or contact Patsy Mortimer, pmortimer@earthlink.net 847-381-8663.

Photo caption: Lake County Stormwater Management Commission Executive Director, Mike Warner, and Chairman, Steve Mountsier, present Patsy Mortimer the 2010 Stewardship of the Year award. She is joined by Tom Vanderpoel and Karen Hunter, Citizens for Conservation (CFC); Janet Agnoletti, Barrington Area Council of Governments; Meredith Tucker, CFC; Gary Herrmann, North Barrington; Mike Novotney, SMC; Sam Oliver, CFC; Mike Szymanski, Village of Barrington; Kevin Rische, Trillium Native Landscapes. (Behind the cameras and not pictured: Bob Lee, Barrington Area Development Council and CFC; Nancy Schumm, Schumm Consulting

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State and Local Leaders Partner to Protect, Preserve Cherokee Marsh

Kimberly Seese — 2008-04-16T17:05:00Z

April 16, 2008 | countyofdane.com | Madison, WI

Stabenow Takes Input on Farm Bill

Kimberly Seese — 2011-06-15T04:00:00Z

June 14, 2011 | Leelanau News | MI

Stabenow Again Works across Aisle

Kimberly Seese — 2012-07-01T04:00:00Z

July 1, 2012 | Traverse City Record-Eagle | Michigan

Special Property Weaves Three Families Together

Kimberly Seese — 2011-10-04T16:27:57Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Ty Ratliff
Little Traverse Conservancy
Land Protection Specialist
(231) 344-1005 | ty@landtrust.org

“The Hill” Nature Preserve Donated in Boyne City

HARBOR SPRINGS, MI -- For more than 50 years, the beauty of northern Michigan, the love of adventure and a special piece of property have woven three families together.

During the 1960s, ski trips to Boyne Mountain first brought the Herzog brothers — Gene and John — as well as their friend and fellow orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Lou Mrstik, to Boyne City. “I immediately bought a home,” Mrstik says. “We were eager to enjoy the ‘up north’ and we did just that.” The Herzogs also bought a shared home and a lifetime of trips to northern Michigan was started.

Soon after their first visit, the three men began searching for a piece of property they could share. The main requirement was that it have a hill, and, in 1966, they discovered and purchased the old Grunow Farm. Located on the north end of town, the land includes a great variety of features, most notably beautiful panoramic views of Lake Charlevoix. “This was where the men could truly relax and take a break,” said Ruth Herzog, John’s wife.
As children came along and the families began creating traditions tied to the property, they fell more deeply in love with the region during all of its seasons. Lou and Gene started an annual task of planting trees. “This actually became our job,” laughs Jackie Malloy, Lou’s daughter, recalling how the men would send the kids off with hundreds of seedlings and a shovel. It is a ritual the kids still tease their fathers about because most of the seedlings died the first couple of years until they realized they should be planted in furrows. Trees were planted in the shape of a peace sign one year and spelled out “Big Lou” another year, all clearly visible from the air. An “O” circle of pines still stands out today. John planted a vineyard on the hillside and harvesting and processing grapes became an annual event for all three families. Variations of a garden waxed and waned over the years. Today the vineyard and garden are still an almost daily destination for John and Lou during the seasons when they reside below it on the lake.

Over the years, dozens of special family events and gatherings with friends were held at the land that was now commonly referred to as “The Hill.” “Jackie puts a book together for each of the kids’ graduations and they all include memories from The Hill,” Lou said.

In 1996, the families donated a conservation easement to Little Traverse Conservancy protecting 106 acres of the property adjacent to the vineyard and garden. This year, the land was donated to Little Traverse Conservancy to become a permanent nature preserve. “We’re getting up in years and it was time to give the land away,” said Lou.

A Community Gem

In addition to the topography of the land, The Hill Preserve includes a nice diversity of both pines and hardwoods within its boundaries. Apple trees have risen from the seeds of the old farm orchard and lilac bushes reveal the old farmstead.

“The primary concern with this preserve right now is that there is very limited parking,” said Doug Fuller, director of stewardship. “But it is currently open to the public and is an excellent destination for hiking.” The Conservancy is working with the county to explore other options for parking along Old Horton Bay Road. For a map and directions to The Hill Preserve, visit www.landtrust.org and scroll to the story on the main page.

About Little Traverse Conservancy

Since 1972, the Little Traverse Conservancy has been working as the oldest regional, non-profit land trust in Michigan. With the support of more than 4,100 members, the Little Traverse Conservancy works with private landowners and units of local government to permanently protect ecologically significant and scenic lands from development. Since it was founded, nearly 41,000 acres and 106 miles of shoreline along our region’s lakes, rivers, and streams have been set aside to remain in their natural state within Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, Mackinac, and Chippewa counties. In addition, more than 5,000 young people participate in a Conservancy environmental education outing every year. For more information about the Little Traverse Conservancy and land protection options for your land, please contact their office at 231.347.0991 or visit www.landtrust.org.

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Six Land Trusts Achieve Accreditation

Kimberly Seese — 2013-04-24T04:00:00Z

April 24, 2013 | Land Trust Accreditation Commission | Saratoga Springs, NY

Seven Generation Family Farm Protected

fdalleo@lta.org — 2009-04-27T17:25:00Z

IN - Mark and Rebecca Ewing have ensured protection of their land, the sixth-oldest family farm in the state, with a conservation easement with Sycamore Land Trust.

Setting Up a Giving Circle

Kimberly Seese — 2013-04-29T23:46:26Z

Date: June 12, 2013
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm ET
Instructor: David Allen
Cost: $55 before 6/11, then cost will increase to $65
Level: Beginner / Intermediate

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Does your land trust have a loyal base of supporters giving unrestricted money? Would you like to grow that base? Have you considered starting a donor club or giving circle?

In a presentation rich with land trust examples, participants will learn the mechanics of setting up a donor club as a specific strategy for cultivating donor loyalty and raising more unrestricted money.

The webinar will cover:

Early planning questions,
Rollout considerations,
Recruitment, retention, and recognition strategies

Sensitive Land Along Northport Creek Forever Protected

fdalleo@lta.org — 2009-11-02T16:15:00Z

MI - Jan Hunt’s land along Northport Creek is incredibly ecologically rich. It is the last intact, natural section of the creek before it hits Grand Traverse Bay, and its protection is important to preserving water quality. Jan has forever ensured its integrity with a conservation easement.

See Natural Wonders in ‘Walk for Wetlands'

Kimberly Seese — 2010-06-01T15:25:00Z

June 1, 2010 | Journal Gazette | Fort Wayne, IN

Scaling Up Conservation for Large Landscapes

Kimberly Seese — 2011-07-05T04:00:00Z

July 5, 2011 | Land Lines | Cambridge, MA

Save Time: Apply for FRPP Entity Certification

Kimberly Seese — 2013-03-14T21:36:19Z

Date: April 11, 2013
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm ET
Instructors: Jane Ellen Hamilton, Henry Babilon
Level: Intermediate
Cost: FREE

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Has your organization acquired conservation easements using FFRPP funds in the past? If so, your organization may be eligible to apply for a new program that will save you time. As a Certified Entity, you may elect to close future FRPP conservation transactions without NRCS review and approval prior to closing. The certification process requires a conservation organization to submit an application demonstrating it meets high professional standards for land conservation by complying with all FRPP protocols and procedures.

This webinar presents the certification process, by covering both the substantive and procedural portions of the application requirements, including:

How adopting and implementing Land Trust Standards and Practices can help your organization improve its chances for becoming certified
Review of those Land Trust Standards and Practices that relate directly to the factors considered for certification
How to submit a complete application for certification
Certification criteria review

This webinar is applicable to both governmental entities and land trusts. Participants should be familiar with the FRPP program.

Standards Covered: 8 (Evaluating and Selecting Conservation Projects), 9 (Ensuring Sound Transactions), and 11 (Conservation Easement Stewardship)

Salt Lake City to Host Largest U.S. Gathering of Land Conservation Leaders

Kimberly Seese — 2012-09-06T04:00:00Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Rob Aldrich
Director of Communications
202-431-8848 (C)
raldrich@lta.org | www.lta.org/rally

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Land Trust Alliance today announced that the nation’s largest annual gathering of land conservation leaders will meet this fall in Salt Lake City, UT, September 29 – October 2, to plan the future of private land conservation in America. Rally 2012: The National Land Conservation Conference is expected to draw more than 1,600 conservation leaders, government officials and academics.

“People in the West have a great appreciation for the land and the gifts it can offer. This has spurred an active tradition of conserving farms, ranches, mountains, rivers, as well as the culture of preserving and honoring the natural environment,” said Land Trust Alliance President Rand Wentworth. “This commitment prioritizes the protection of clean air, clean water, wildlife, and a way of living with the land.”

Land trusts are local, state or nationwide nonprofits whose mission is to conserve land in its natural or traditional state, including farming and ranching, through voluntary agreements with landowners. According to a national census released by the Alliance, land trusts in Utah have protected a total of 65,718 acres. (Visit www.lta.org/census.)

“We selected Salt Lake City this year to honor the strong conservation ethic in this region, and also to give our supporters a chance to enjoy the state’s diverse beauty,” said Wentworth.

This year’s Rally will be celebrating many accomplishments including the launch of Terrafirma, a charitable risk pool owned by participating land trusts that insures it members against the legal costs of defending conservation and 46 land trusts earning accreditation this year through the Land Trust Accreditation Commission – an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance. This group brings the total to 181 land trusts nationally who are accredited – including Summit Land Conservancy in Utah. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the Alliance.

The first keynote speaker at Rally will be M. Sanjayan, the lead scientist for The Nature Conservancy with a faculty research appointment at the University of Montana. He is a frequent speaker at TED Global, and the International Women’s Forum, among other groups. He is a Catto Fellow with the Aspen Institute, and is often a guest on MSNBC, CNN, and other stations. He is currently studying the nexus between conservation efforts and poverty alleviation.

Rally will also feature a keynote address from Heidi Redd, President of the Indian Creek Cattle Company. Ms. Redd is a prominent ranching and conservation leader, and she has run a cow-calf operation at the Dugout Ranch in Utah’s canyon country for more than 46 years. She and her family entered in to a unique partnership with The Nature Conservancy to ensure the Dugout Ranch will not be chopped up for development.

Rally seminars, workshops and speakers will address national conservation trends, cutting-edge practices of land conservation, and best professional standards for land trusts. More than 100 workshops and 25 seminars are scheduled, including a seminar on Native American land trusts and eco-cultural conservation, presented by prominent leaders of the local Native American community.

Additionally, the Land Trust Alliance conservation awards will be presented at the Welcoming Dinner, Sunday, September 30, at 7:00pm. They will feature the Kingsbury Browne Conservation Leadership Award, National Conservation Service Award, and the National Land Trust Excellence Award. Visit www.lta.org/awards for more information.

MEDIA INVITED: Keynote speeches are open to representatives of the media. To attend other workshops, trainings, field trips or seminars, registration is required. Inquire at the registration desk, or contact Rob Aldrich, Director of Communications, raldrich@lta.org | 202-431-8848 (C).

About the Land Trust Alliance

The Land Trust Alliance is a national conservation organization that works in three ways to save the places people love. First, we increase the pace of conservation, so more land and natural resources get protected. Second, we enhance the quality of conservation, so the most important lands get protected using the best practices in the business. And third, we ensure the permanence of conservation by providing resources needed to defend protected land over time. The Land Trust Alliance is based in Washington, D.C., and has several regional offices. Visit www.landtrustalliance.org.

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